Abiding in Christ, Bearing His Fruit
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5
We are called to serve and give, because serving and giving produces fruit within God’s Kingdom. There’s a necessary connection between abiding in Christ and bearing the right kind of fruit.
Abiding in Christ means staying connected to Him as the source of our strength and spiritual nourishment. Just as a branch gets what it needs from the vine, we get what we need from our relationship with Jesus. This connection empowers us to serve and give effectively. Without this nourishment, our efforts become self-driven rather than Spirit-led, leading to ineffective ministry and burnout.
As believers, when we abide in Christ, it helps us stay aligned with God's will. This alignment ensures that we’re guided by the Holy Spirit rather than our own personal motives and desires. As we serve and give, abiding in Christ helps us do so with hearts that seek to honor God and fulfill His purposes. The result is ministry that bears the type of fruit that’s pleasing to God and impactful for His Kingdom.
Bearing the right type of fruit is a natural outcome of abiding in Christ. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities reflect the character of Christ and are essential for effective ministry. When we remain in Christ, the Holy Spirit cultivates these attributes within us and enables us to serve others the way Jesus would.
Ministry rooted in Christ relies on His strength rather than feeble, human effort. Abiding in Christ provides the endurance needed to persevere through challenges. It fosters trust in God's provision and timing, allowing believers to remain steadfast in their calling even when circumstances are difficult.
Abiding in Christ also serves as a powerful witness to others. When we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, we demonstrate the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus. This can draw others to Christ and inspire them to seek a similar connection with Him. It shows that the true source of a meaningful and impactful life is found in Christ alone. More than anything else, this is the most impactful thing we can offer those we serve through Kitchen One for One.
As we go out to serve and give, let’s ensure that our efforts are nourished by His strength, aligned with His will, and bear the right kind of fruit. By remaining in Christ, we can experience the fullness of life and ministry that He intends for us. Let’s commit to abiding in Him, knowing that apart from Him, we can do nothing.
But… with Him, we can “bear much fruit.”
